Environmental Quality Incentives Program 2006

Program equips small farmer with wells, irrigation system

Through hard work, using conservation practices and alternative crops, a small farmer in Rondo, Ark., turned his operation into an example other farmers want to follow.

Since Harvey Williams’ main source of income comes from farming, he has converted his farm from a primarily row crop operation to high-value vegetable crops. He specializes in growing sweet potatoes, squash, greens, okra, sweet corn, peas, butterbeans, tomatoes and other vegetables on 150 acres.

“Many small farmers, and some large, come and ask questions about my farming practices,” said Harvey Williams.

“I expect to pass it on. I expect to help create a situation where more farmers convert to produce. It is a crop and a business we know we can grow in this area.”

The Environmental Quality Incentives Program helped Williams turn his produce into profit.

“When I talked to Williams in 1999, he had an EQIP contract for a well and 400 feet of irrigation pipeline to water 20 to 40 acres of vegetables,” said Angela Gibson, Lee County district conservationist. “When he converted to all vegetables in 2002, he had some areas he could water and others he couldn’t. We sat down and developed a plan to address his complete operation.”

An additional EQIP contract resulted in the installation of another well and 800 feet of irrigation pipeline. The pipeline and wells enable him to irrigate 100 acres. Thirty acres were also land leveled to help with water conservation.

To address water quality concerns, Williams installed a filter strip on two sides of his farm.

Williams’ conservation work and farming practices helped him become the first farmer in Arkansas to become USDA certified for meeting “Good Agricultural Practices.”

Williams’ farmland, field harvest practices and processing facility were all certified.

Arkansas EQIP Quick Facts for 2006

If you need more information about EQIP, contact your local USDA Service Center or your local conservation district. Information also is available on the World Wide Web at: http://www.nrcs.usda.gov/programs/farmbill/2002/.

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